Personalised Valentino Rossi R1 to be auctioned

A modified Valentino Rossi Yamaha YZF-R1, complete with Ohlins suspension systems, is to go under auction in California.

The proceeds from the sale will be donated to Riders for Health, the official MotoGP charity, which provides motorcycles to allow health workers to access remote villages in Africa.

This bike was originally a stock R1 which has since been heavily modified, including top-of-the-range Ohlins suspension systems, Akrapovic exhaust and Bridgestone tyres.

All this was made possible after Riders for Health fundraiser Don Emde approached Valentino Rossi about the project.

Rossi agreed and the bike was painted in his unique Five Continents livery, complete with his autograph.

"Once we got Rossi's blessing, everyone jumped aboard. Just with improvements the bike's value is nearly $30,000 (£18,700), and that's without the significance of the project and Rossi's involvement," said Emde.

Rossi recently rode his first laps on his new Ducati bike at the 2010 post-season test in Valencia, testing out the bike's new engine and its Ohlins suspension systems.